The Labor enquirer., 1887-07-16
SCARLET.
Rub the Red Out OF the Old Flag at Once


see by recent issue of the Chicago
Express that the terror of red has seized
the Labor Party, Tor some of the bosses)
of Chicago and nothing but an "Anti-Red
Labor Party" wherein respectable" citi
zens may run and be safe under the pro-
tecting care of Armour, Gould, Leo, Cook
and Powdsrly, can quiet their fears. They
have decided to draw clear line between
the labor men and the Socialists" that
''the sooner the Labor Party rids itself Of
such class the better it will be for the
party"
They have also decided that it will be
better to have two parties" than to have
the Union Labor Party tainted with An
archy or advanced Socialism" They
think that to ask such men as farmers to
affiliate with the red flag element would
be like shaking red flag before an angry
bull" That may have been intended as q
compliment to farmers, but as "a granger
l regard it as an insult to their intelli
gence. II it be true that farmers, as a
class, are governed by their passions like
an "angry BULL" instead of by their intel
ligence, their cooperation in Social
movement of such magnitude as is now
before the people is not worth asking as
they are utterly incapable of comprehend
ing it, Now we may as well look this mat
ter squarely in the face. Liberty has per
ished in this fair land; our government
has become a despotism in everything ex
cept in name; justice, truth, virtue and
equity have departed, Cor rather been e1'
pelled) from the council of the nation
and injustice, falsehood, corruption and
favoritism has been enthroned in their
stead.
In view Of these facts a conference Of
laboring men was held last September al
Indianapolis to devise means to break the
bonds that have been forged for labor and
set the captives free. At that conference
it was decided that a new political party
must be organized for that purpose. Ac-
cordingly a "New Declaration of Indepen,
dence" was issued and the industrial peo-
pie of the United States called upon to
sever their relations with both the old
parties and send delegates to Cincinnati
on February 22 to formulate a platform
Of principles and perfect the organization
of a new party. The call received a
prompt and hearty response, but the work
had scarce begin than the bosses begin
to draw their lines and talk about "two
parties" "a radical party and a conserva-
tive party As though it were possible
for conservative party to carry out such
radical meaures as every plank in the
platform adopted at the Cincinnati con-
vention called for! If they are not lad
vanced Socialists" what business have
they on that PLATFORM If they are, why
be so cowardly as to disguise the fact by
joining the ''law and order" mob in this
mad-dog howl against the red-hags
Friends, this will never do. Two labor
parties is luxury we cannot afford, even
il we had any use for them, which certain.
ly We have not, and it would be in rather
bad order to begin to ape the monopo-
lists in running two parties just as they
begin to see the need of massing their
forces in one. No, no; give us one good
strong, vigorous party made up of all the
intelligent members of all labor orgaRiza
tions, without regard to the color of their
hair, skin, or flag.
Thine for liberty or death,
h. F. RowELL.
ORRISGrOS Maine